Scene to read · Self-awareness, Communication
Three fixes in one breath
You live with your partner, Ekow; his sister, Gillian, is visiting this week.
Ekow came home deflated: his community band has moved him from first trumpet to third. He had barely begun telling you about it on the living room couch when you listed three things he could do. He has gone quiet. Gillian, in the armchair, looks up from her book.
The scene
Ekow: Well. Three fixes in one breath. Nothing left for me to say, then.
Gillian: You always do that. Two sentences in, and out comes the to-do list.
Ekow: Back home, a friend just sat on the porch with you. Nobody fixed it.
Gillian: Though the list wasn't wrong, Ekow. You haven't practiced in weeks. Now what?
The two questions
- 1What would you say to Ekow now, and why?
- 2When is it kinder to tell someone what they could do differently, and when is it kinder to hold back?
What raters look for
- Self-awareness
- Recognizes own biases, limits and emotions, and seeks and uses feedback.
- Communication
- Listens first, speaks clearly and respectfully, and adapts the message to the listener.
Answer scenarios like this on the real timers
Answer both questions on the clock, and get each one scored 1–9 the way raters score. Your first set is free, no card.
Practice free
